MONROVIA – The Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Ren Yisheng has reiterated his government’s support to the educational needs of Liberia as a way to accelerate the overall development of the country and its people as well as underscoring the importance of China-Liberia friendly and pragmatic cooperation existing between the two countries.
Ambassador Yisheng made the statement last week when he addressed the annual stakeholders meeting in the education sector, especially at the higher education level held on the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia.
While expressing excitement and delight to be present at the venue which he described as one of the China Aided Projects, said in recent years, the Chinese government every year on average provides about 50 full scholarships mainly for master and doctorate degrees to the Liberian government and around 200 short- and long-term training opportunities some of which also include master and doctorate degrees. He said also the Chinese embassy provides the Ambassador’s scholarships to more than 100 students of excellence from University of Liberia, Tubman University and Cuttington University every year, which has helped the fostering of talents of Liberia.
“For the 2020-2023 period, the Chinese government will provide altogether 190 full scholarships to Liberian elites, many of whom are leaving for China soon. We are encouraged to note that graduated Liberian students and trainees from the Chinese Government Scholarship and training programs are playing increasingly important roles in the society after their returns. We are encouraged to note that graduated Liberian students and trainees from the Chinese Government Scholarship and training programs are playing increasingly important roles in the society after their returns”, he said.
He said China will continue to provide support for infrastructure, research and human resource development of Liberian universities, colleges and vocational schools, so as to enhance the capacity of Liberia’s higher and vocational education and to promote our friendly bilateral ties and the prosperity and development of Liberia.
Ambassador Yisheng also found time in his speech to discuss the China-Liberia relations which he said are presented with unprecedented historic opportunities for further enhancement. He said entering into the new era, China will continue to uphold the principle of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith as well as the right approach to greater good and shared interests. He further said China will deeply integrate its development with that of Africa and Liberia by integrating the BRI, GDI and GSI closely with AU Agenda 2063 and “Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development”(PAPD).
“China will vigorously implement the “Nine Programs” of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Liberia in different areas including education and people-to-people exchanges, mainstream gender perspective and build together a community of shared future for the peoples of our two countries”, he said.
Speaking on Gender equality which was one of the issues discussed at the stakeholders meeting, Yisheng said it is not only a basic human right, but also an important link in giving full play to human potential, promoting sustainable development and ultimately achieving a peaceful society. He said thus, the theme of the event, “Developing Sustainable Partnerships to Achieve Common Strategic Goals” is extremely important.
“The spirit as declared at the World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995 has brought about positive changes in the world. The consensus of all countries in pursuing equality between men and women and empowering women and girl children have been increasingly strengthened, the actions to promote women’s development have become more diversified, and the environment for women’s subsistence and development has been constantly optimized”, he said.
The Chinese Ambassador in a customary diplomatic way of fully representing one’ country also updated the occasion with some of the latest development in China, especially progress being made under the Communist Party of China’s rule which has witnessed the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation which he described as the greatest dream of the Chinese nation since modern times.
“Over the past 100 years, the Communist Party of China(CPC) has led the Chinese people to numerous victories of revolution, construction and reform. Since the 18th National Congress of CPC convened in 2012, our socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The 20th National Congress of CPC will be convened next month and this will become a milestone event as we march towards the second centenary goal of building China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, democratic, culturally civilized, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of this century when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2049.
“In the past decade, China’s national economic strength has leaped to a new level. The total economic volume has risen from 53.86 trillion yuan in 2012 to 114.37 trillion yuan in 2021, and its proportion in the world economy has risen from 11.3% to over 18%. The per capita GDP has risen from US$6,300 to over US$12,000. It can be described as thriving in the continuing downturn of the world economy, especially against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemics which has lasted for 3 years since 2020.
“In the past decade, China’s reform and opening up has made new progress. China’s all-round and high-level open economy has been accelerated, and the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” has achieved fruitful results. China actively participates in global economic governance and contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind. President Xi Jinping has proposed Global Development Initiative(GDI) and Global Security Initiative(GSI) respectively so as to promote realization of UN Sustainable Development Goals with sustainable global security”, he concluded.
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